ISLAMABAD — Supreme Court Senior Puisne Judge Mansoor Ali Shah has called on the judiciary to uphold constitutional values with courage, urging fellow judges to “speak truth to power” even in the face of political pressure and executive overreach, as reported by Dawn News.
In an interview with The Legal magazine, excerpts of which were reviewed by Dawn.com, Justice Shah emphasized that Supreme Court justices are not policymakers but protectors of the Constitution and fundamental rights.
“Their role demands not only legal expertise but also wisdom, courage, and humility,” Shah said, adding that judges must navigate the balance between legislative intent and constitutional principles, especially amid shifting legal and political landscapes.
“At the heart of this role lies a deeper philosophical imperative: judges must speak truth to power, guided by the Constitution as their unwavering normative anchor,” he asserted. “This responsibility requires not compromise but courage to defy political pressures, resist majoritarian impulses, and stand firm in the face of injustice.”
In a powerful reflection on the future of Pakistan’s judiciary, he urged, “Let future jurists not be defined by fear or fatigue, but by purpose. The Constitution doesn’t just need protection — it needs protectors.”
Justice Shah has been a vocal advocate of judicial independence. In November 2024, he described the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment as one of the judiciary’s “weakest moments,” citing concerns of executive interference.
In a December letter to Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Shah criticized changes to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan, warning they risked politicizing judicial appointments.
His remarks come amid growing controversy over the Supreme Court’s recent ruling allowing military trials for civilians involved in the May 9 riots — a decision that drew sharp dissent within the bench and sparked alarm among legal experts and rights groups over due process and civilian judicial integrity.
